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What to wear to Blissdom

by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is the founder of this blog and just finished traveling around the world with her husband and 3 kids. Her latest book is Notes From a Blue Bike, and believes a passport is one of the world's greatest textbooks.

Today’s post veers from the norm here on Simple Mom. I much prefer to write posts that would appeal to the mass of readers (parents, people interested in simple living), but I’ve had more than a few people ask me what they should wear to Blissdom in a few weeks.

So I thought it would be fun to discuss the topic of what to wear to blog conferences, since they’re getting more and more popular, and because there are so many first timers attending Blissdom.

If you’re like me, you don’t have gobs of money. You also spend most of your days wearing jeans and almost clean t-shirts with hints of spit-up on the shoulder. Blissdom is one of the few times per year when you’ll solely be among adults for several days*, so it’s rather exhilarating to think of getting out of your yoga pants and putting on some jewelry.

1. Jeans

Yep, jeans. You can wear jeans. Don’t feel like this is a power suit thing. Sure, some people will be dressier than others, but don’t feel like you have to get all business-y to fit in.

Bring your nicer jeans — the darker the rinse, the more easily you can dress them up. I like to travel light, so I only bring one pair.

2. Layers

The Opryland Hotel is huge, and there’s a wide variety of temperatures throughout the building. I felt like I was constantly taking on and off my jacket last year. Wear layers, just in case your body temps ebb and flow, like mine.

Cardigans are great for this, as are scarves and shawls. Lisa Leonard does a fabulous job at layering — check her “WhatIworeWednesday” series for inspiration.

3. One “out on the town” outfit

Thursday night is a concert at one of the hotel’s cocktail lounges, so make this the evening you wear something fun. Break out a dress if you don’t normally get a chance to wear one! Heck, follow Robin’s lead and wear a ballroom dress:

But honestly, if you don’t feel like dressing up, no worries. Be comfortable. It’s a night of fun, so if dresses drive you nuts, then jeans are perfectly fine.

4. Modest pajamas

Friday night is a “girls’ night in,” and wearing your pajamas is welcome here. But if you’re like me, you’ll want to get in your lounge wear daily, as soon as the evening hits. Bring jammies you don’t mind being seen in.

5. Fun shoes

Never have I seen so many cute pairs of shoes in one room than at Blissdom. No pressure, though — if you bring one to two neutral pairs, a super-comfy pair (more on that below), and a fun, just-for-the-heck-of-it pair, you should be fine.

6.Comfy shoes

This hotel is huge. I was floored how much I had to walk between my room and the conference rooms — about a third of the way from the main session back to my room, I had to take off my shoes to keep walking.

Bring some really comfortable shoes. Don’t be shy about wearing them for the actual conference, but if you’d rather wear shoes that are more cute than comfy, toss a small pair of flip flops in your purse, and switch them out on your way back to your room.

@womanonajourney will be wearing jeans, sweaters, and comfortable loafers during the day sessions. #blissdom and @womanonajourney thursday night is a LBD with tall black boots. Friday night is pajama party, which means sweats, a hoodie! And warm slippers!

@LivingMyMoMent Got a sweatshirt made for my sponsor that I will during the day and will prob do dress at night or blk pants & shirt #Blissdom

@NoFlashCards my baby but under the ergo and baby will be cardigans , jeans , a slimming tank holding in my post baby muffin top 😉

@simpleschool I plan on wearing whatever you tell me to wear. 😉 #blissdom

Look for your Prep for Blissdom package in the mail this week. In it, my friend Mandi of Life Your Way created a handy checklist of what you should bring — not just clothing, but business essentials as well.

If you’re going to Blissdom — what are you wearing? Or if you’re not, what are your essentials for packing for a business trip?

Thank you for this list, Tsh! As a first timer to Blissdom, I really appreciate the round up of ideas and tips

Since I’m in that not-quite-pregnant-enough-to-need-maternity clothes yet can’t button my pants stage, I did a little thrift store shopping myself this past weekend.

I’m definitely going for comfortable and familiar (I can’t imagine not bringing my converse) but slightly amplified from my usual mommy-at-home attire. Lots of dresses w/ leggings and my favorite pair of jeans (thanks to a friend who told me about belly bands this weekend) and any excuse to show off some of my favorite jewelry and cutest shoes is welcome

How cool to see my photo up on top?
One helpful thing for me was a backup outfit/shoe combo. By the night of the concert, my ankles had swollen horribly – I mean like scary, I went to the doctor later horribly. They hurt and needed covered and supported, so I wore a dress that I had packed as a back-up (I drive, so I had more room) with a pair of boots. I got so many compliments, as opposed to people saying “what in the world is wrong with your feet?”
I’m packing a dress with boots again, even though I think the freaky ankle thing is much more under control…
Which reminds me: do NOT forget to take your regulars meds and vitamins and drink plenty of water.

Great post Tsh! I am getting so excited I am about to burst! But on the other hand I am freaking out about being away from home for 5 days! Who will take care of the dogs? The husband? The 2 grown kids who still live at home?
I do want to second the bringing of a little pair of flipflops or flats to wear when walking and switch to your *cuter* shoes when you reach your destination. haven’t been to many blog conferences, but been to plenty of corporate ones!
Bernice

Before kids, I traveled Monday – Thursday for my job. The rule I always followed when traveling for business was to give each week a color theme. I had a “brown” week, a “black” week, and a “blue” week. Each week, I built all my outfits around one pair of shoes, and one belt of that week’s color. I only had to take accessories that coordinated with that color. This plan helped me travel across the country with only one pair of dress shoes!